Urolithiasis refers to formation of renal stones in the urinary system including kidneys, ureters, and bladder. Urolithiasis can impose adverse effects due to a blockage in the flow of urine from the kidney or bladder toward the urethra. It can be severely painful for patients and often necessitates immediate medical attention. On the basis of size and anatomical location of the stone in the urinary system, various approaches can be employed for their effective removal. These include extracorporeal lithotripsy, intracorporeal lithotripsy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy, and other treatments. The smaller stones can be removed with the help of non invasive treatments, while the larger ones require surgical intervention.

The approach utilized for stone removal is dependent primarily upon its size. The stones of size 5 mm or less can be extracted using extracorporeal procedures with the help of lasers or ultrasound shock waves. The larger stones require intracorporeal surgeries to render them passable through the urinary tract. For relatively large stones, percutaneous nephrolithotomy is applied, wherein an incision is created on the back of the patient’s body to extract the kidney stones. The other treatment includes watchful waiting, which involves targeting the stones through a multidisciplinary approach comprising medication, lifestyle changes, and a controlled diet.

“Diagnostic imaging techniques are used in intracorporeal procedures”

As patients with large stones are poor candidates for extracorporeal stone removal procedures, diagnostic imaging techniques, such as ultrasound, endoscopy, and laser, are used to spot the location of the stone. Ureteroscopy is the most commonly used endoscopy procedure for the visualization of the urinary tract followed by cystoscopy, renoscopy, and nephroscopy.

“Key players”

Boston Scientific Corporation, C. R. Bard, Inc., and Cook Medical are some of the key players in the urolithiasis management devices market with a vast portfolio of urolithiasis treatment products. These devices include huge lithotripters as well as micro accessories for stone removal such as guidewires, baskets, and scalpels, etc. Majority of the manufacturers of urolithiasis management devices are based in North America. The companies such as Boston Scientific Corporation, C. R. Bard, Inc., and Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG, etc. are supplying their devices internationally.

“Urolithiasis management devices market outlook”

Urolithiasis management treatments are segmented into extracorporeal lithotripsy, intracorporeal lithotripsy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy, and other treatments. The service providers of urolithiasis are classified into hospitals, clinics, and ambulatory surgical centers. During the forecast period, ambulatory surgical centers will experience growth in terms of its market share. In 2015, extracorporeal lithotripsy accounted for a largest market share in treatment types. Likewise, North America dominated the global market in the year 2015 and will hold its position over the forecast period. On the other hand, Asia pacific will exhibit an impressive CAGR of 6.5% during the forecast period, attributable to technological advancements in surgical urology in the region.